Vox AC10C1 Owners Club
- Thread starter StormJH1
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ravindave_3600
Friend of Leo's
dsouza
TDPRI Member
How many of you feel your AC10 with pedals is superior to something like a Fractal Audio Multi FX/ Amp modeler using monitors or FRFR/ PA systems? What is the real advantage to using the traditional tube amp and pedals?
Do any of you use both systems? If so I'd love to hear your comments too!
Do any of you use both systems? If so I'd love to hear your comments too!
ravindave_3600
Friend of Leo's
I've never used the FA you mentioned but my church rig is easier and cheaper. Plus I really like how it sounds.
dsouza
TDPRI Member
Well this is a Vox Ac10 forum.
Having said that I LOVE my Ac10. Great sound and value for the money.
And although it doesn't have a 12" speaker the 10" doesn't sound boxy.
However, I also use traditional pedals and a Fractal Audio system. I've got an eventide timefactor, a TS808 screamer, and a Line 6 verbzilla I use for shimmer sounds.
I find I can feed both my pedals through the AC10 (of course!), and also my FA provided the AC10 is as clean sounding as possible given the fact that I don't want the sound of the FA coloured by the amp.
I also have my FA going through a set of Mackie Monitors, and I'll tell you even though there's no discoloration with my Mackie Monitors the sound quality is far richer going through my AC10 for "LIVE performance"! For studio recording I prefer direct recording and using my monitors, or putting an sm57 in front of my AC10 and recording that way.
I was thinking of buying an FRFR speaker to complement the FA but it seems my AC10 does a fine job and also can be made clean enough to handle any amp modelling for live performance. And you get the sound of air being pushed through the amp. In a band setting they love this fact.
The AC10 is a winner. BTW I use stock tubes. Everyone says JJ. Do they color the tone of the amp in any way? I'm a U2 tribute guitarist, so I like my VOX sounding like a VOX.
Having said that I LOVE my Ac10. Great sound and value for the money.
And although it doesn't have a 12" speaker the 10" doesn't sound boxy.
However, I also use traditional pedals and a Fractal Audio system. I've got an eventide timefactor, a TS808 screamer, and a Line 6 verbzilla I use for shimmer sounds.
I find I can feed both my pedals through the AC10 (of course!), and also my FA provided the AC10 is as clean sounding as possible given the fact that I don't want the sound of the FA coloured by the amp.
I also have my FA going through a set of Mackie Monitors, and I'll tell you even though there's no discoloration with my Mackie Monitors the sound quality is far richer going through my AC10 for "LIVE performance"! For studio recording I prefer direct recording and using my monitors, or putting an sm57 in front of my AC10 and recording that way.
I was thinking of buying an FRFR speaker to complement the FA but it seems my AC10 does a fine job and also can be made clean enough to handle any amp modelling for live performance. And you get the sound of air being pushed through the amp. In a band setting they love this fact.
The AC10 is a winner. BTW I use stock tubes. Everyone says JJ. Do they color the tone of the amp in any way? I'm a U2 tribute guitarist, so I like my VOX sounding like a VOX.
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marc2211
Tele-Afflicted
I sold my AC10c1 back in 2018, but now and again I kind of miss it. Any developments since then? Or have they stayed pretty much the same?
viktar_med
TDPRI Member
Guys, what about home using? Is it loud? As I see there is no master volume (for example like on Fender BJ). Going to buy, but still not sure about volume control for home.
Dadzmad
Tele-Meister
My son lives nearby and keeps his AC10 at my place where the only volume criteria is how loud I can take it. It's a nice amp with a great sounding speaker. The only mod I have done is a "just cuz" tube swap. I put in a matched pair of Russian 1980's military spec power tubes (back in the USSR) and a pair of JJ preamp tubes. This set a nice clean and snappy base line. Plenty loud for just hanging out, turns down well, and takes pedals pretty good if you want to go there.
hallissyc
TDPRI Member
Question: could I plug a Two Notes Cab M+ into the extension port?
It would be guitar -> Vox AC10 -> CAB M+ -> headphones or studio monitors
It would be guitar -> Vox AC10 -> CAB M+ -> headphones or studio monitors
Marc Morfei
Poster Extraordinaire
Vox AC10 does have a master volume. So you can dial up gain at low volume. Perfect for home use.
Jackadder
Tele-Holic
Merry Xmas to me!
Missed out on a used DR Tone Master but then nabbed this (already re-tubed) beauty for 1/2 the DR price...
....add a 2x10 Greenback cab & roasted ash/roasted maple 'nocaster'....
Missed out on a used DR Tone Master but then nabbed this (already re-tubed) beauty for 1/2 the DR price...
....add a 2x10 Greenback cab & roasted ash/roasted maple 'nocaster'....
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Just ordered one. Main amp is a Tone King Imperial but I wanted a little practice amp for the office or to more easily move around the house or go to a writing session, etc. Tried a Katana, and it's an impressive amp for the money when it comes to functionality. But I just couldn't get past it's inherent voice and the constant fiddling. Really liked its cleans and the effects choices, didn't like any of the dirty tones.. Good sounding but not for me.
Had a Morgan years ago that did the Vox thing and it sounded amazing, so I'm excited to try the AC10 even if it isn't completely true to the traditional Vox tone. Looking forward to joining the club!
Had a Morgan years ago that did the Vox thing and it sounded amazing, so I'm excited to try the AC10 even if it isn't completely true to the traditional Vox tone. Looking forward to joining the club!
I snagged one in the maroon, mint, off of Facebook Marketplace last month; got it for $300 and I'm over the moon for it. Can't wait, bringing it to a gig on NYE and I get to really crank it up and let it rip in a live situation.
dsouza
TDPRI Member
So final story .. I own both an AC10 with Pedals and a Fractal Audio AX8 with Redsound Elis 8 FRFR speakers. (The latter systems speakers set me back about $2500.. Truly meant for the pro at wedding banquet halls, large auditoriums, private events etc). No question my FA system and my speakers have a place.
I still haven't gotten rid of my AC10 and Tubescreamer 808 and have no need too. I like the analog sound of it! I know the AXE is glorious and has a digital sound but sometimes I just need a real TUBE amp to feel that all tube amp-in-the-room sound! The FRFR speakers put the volume in the whole room not just in front of you like an AC10.
One question. I am thinking of using my AC10 for gigging for small gigs but lately since I have the Fractal and Redsound Elis 8's I'm thinking of using the AC10 alongside it as a PA system.
Anyone have any thoughts on how well this would work? I was going to feed my Shure SM58 through a special PA connector which attaches to the AC10 input. It would have to be XLR compatible.
Anyone tried using an AC10 as a PA system? Which connectors to turn it into a PA did you find best? I have a nice mic stand and SM58 but at gigs they expect me to bring my own MIC to speak to the crowd and I don't always have access to FOH's systems, mics, PA's etc.
I still haven't gotten rid of my AC10 and Tubescreamer 808 and have no need too. I like the analog sound of it! I know the AXE is glorious and has a digital sound but sometimes I just need a real TUBE amp to feel that all tube amp-in-the-room sound! The FRFR speakers put the volume in the whole room not just in front of you like an AC10.
One question. I am thinking of using my AC10 for gigging for small gigs but lately since I have the Fractal and Redsound Elis 8's I'm thinking of using the AC10 alongside it as a PA system.
Anyone have any thoughts on how well this would work? I was going to feed my Shure SM58 through a special PA connector which attaches to the AC10 input. It would have to be XLR compatible.
Anyone tried using an AC10 as a PA system? Which connectors to turn it into a PA did you find best? I have a nice mic stand and SM58 but at gigs they expect me to bring my own MIC to speak to the crowd and I don't always have access to FOH's systems, mics, PA's etc.
I have not tried it, but the AC10 and its purpose/design has about as much in common with a PA system as your refrigerator does. This is a 10 watt guitar amplifier designed to break up at lower volumes.
If you need a PA system, you need a PA system, not a low wattage tube guitar amp. You're going to waste a lot of time and money with very poor results if you try to make the AC10 work for that purpose.
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I was pretty shocked to see the inside of one of these things. I mean, I've seen the insides of inexpensively built amps with thin PCBs, ribbon connectors, and what not but Vox was not to be outdone!
What's interesting is that given the popularity of these amps there seems to be relatively few reports of failures and the need to dispose of the amp. There are definitely those who have had issues with its reliability but I've also seen lots of posts where people have been out gigging them for 3-4+ years with no issues. I think the Fender Tone Master series attracted more attention about their (mis)perceived reliability and predictions that they'd all be in landfills in a few years. Heck, I've seen that said about Fender DRRIs.
I'm not really commenting either way about whether the AC10 is unreliable or unrepairable. I just find it curious that this is a massively popular amp and they seem to be out there doing their thing without widespread failures. I'm as surprised as anyone after seeing the inside of one
. They're not really intended to be road dog amps. Maybe they're just fine for the casual users. Last edited:
Tootle
Tele-Meister
My AC10c1 issues (relatively few in several years of regular use) have all been caused by power tube failures. It's definitely hard on power tubes, as has been predicted by amp builders who've looked at the design.
Holy smokes. I cannot imagine running the treble at 3 o'clock on one of these amps. The treble would be unbearable. It must be that your attenuator is really rolling off the high end and you're compensating at the amp.
Tootle
Tele-Meister
Yep--Very sure I'd back off on the treble at higher volume. There are also a couple of pedals in the line that keep the higher frequencies damped down a bit
